Ionians

The Ionians were one of the four major Greek tribes during the ancient period. The Ionians were named for Ion (Javan in the Bible), the son of Xuthus (Japheth in the Bible), who lived in the Peloponnese. The Ionians inhabited Aegilaus until the Dorians invaded during the 8th century BC, with the Dorians expelling the Achaeans to the Ionian lands; the Ionians were then forced to flee to the coast of Anatolia and to the Aegean Islands. The Ionians settled the region of Ionia on the coast of Asia Minor, and they were known for their love of art, philosophy, democracy, and pleasure. The Ionians settled Ionia, Euboea, the Cyclades, and several other cities; the Ionians later returned to mainland Greece and founded Athens.